farsickness | Fire and Water

WHO: Xiao Xingchen and OTA
WHEN: December 15th onward
WHAT: Event Fun
WHERE: Gazin
WARNINGS: N/A but will update as needed.

In town
Xingchen was surprised when he stepped out of the house and the bitter cold air hit his body and his boots sank into the cold snow on the ground. He can't see the winter wonderland that has been laid out before him but all his other senses can tell that it is there. He smiles softly as he thinks about what it must look like. He is sure it is quite lovely. The snow doesn't bother him as he heads off towards the direction of town. He has walked this path many times since his arrival and has learned how long it takes and what directions to go.

And so he can be found at any time walking through town, speaking with vendors and investigating what is going on with the excitement he can feel buzzing in town about the time of year.

Hot Spring
After wandering through town, Xingchen headed towards one of the hot springs that he had been told about. He had asked several people about what all the festive airs seemed to be about and what there was to do in the area. When they mentioned the hot spring Xingchen was very curious and figured he would investigate it.

It wasn't a hard trip to make and being as careful as he could, he made his way to the waters edge. He drops his hand into it and feels the warmth of it on his fingers. He doesn't hear anyone else in the area so he decides to try it out as the townspeople had suggested. He removes his layers carefully, feeling the cold air even more so when he got down to the last thin piece of cotton. Leaving his under layers on, he steps into the water and lowers himself down into it.

The warm water feels good, helping to ease away some of the tension in his body he hadn't realized had been building up. He sighs softly as he relaxes against the side.

Bonfires
After leaving the hot spring, Xiao Xingchen realized that getting in water in his under layers was probably not the smartest move. Because he now had to make it back to the house in wet clothing. Trudging through the snow and cold was a bit more difficult now.

But as he was making the trip he felt the heat of fire and heard it crackling along with the voices of many people being gathered around it. Deciding to warm up again, he moves closer, offering a smile to any that is around.

"The fire feels wonderful."

Those around him voiced their agreement and placed a cup into his hands. He thanked them for the drink, not questioning what it might be as he lifted it to his lips. Certainly it is something that will help warm him up after being out in the cold.

He realizes after about half of it is gone that what he is drinking is definitely warming him up. He can feel the warmth in his cheeks and a lightness in his head that he realizes is caused by the alcohol in his hands. Perhaps he should have asked what he was drinking...before this light weight actually started drinking it.

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"Mn."

Eloquent as always. Wangji has not yet noticed that Xiao Xingchen daozhang has been handed a drink, nor the smell of it, but he does know that people gravitate towards fire like that when they are cold. So.

"Are your clothes warm enough?"

He recognizes the voice of Lan Wangji near him. At least he found some he knows among this crowd. "My under clothes are a bit damp so they are not as warm as they could be. I fear I had a lapse of judgement. But the fire should help with that."

Xingchen is not afraid to admit his mistake, a smile on his lips as he once again raises the glass to his lips.

"Do you need spiritual energy?" It is an offer. It will not dry him, but it will likely lower the level of discomfort.

And his nostrils flare slightly. The drink smells of spices and something else sharp. Unfortunately, it does not smell of the wine that he knows...

... so he accepts a mug of his own.

"Fire will help." He does agree, eventually.

"There is no need. I'll be fine after a few minutes. Even if my clothing wasn't wet I may have naturally migrated to this spot. Everyone sounded so happy."

And it is good to listen to such happy sounds once in awhile. He hears so few of these sounds at Yi City. Not that his companions don't keep things lively. He pauses as he realizes he now knows the identity of his little friend and it is still taking some getting used to.

Xue Yang is already by the fire, trading playful stories with those near enough to tease. Then he spies Xingchen and what people hand the sweet blind man and smiles, moving immediately over to plop down beside him.

"A-Chen~ Are you cold? You can lean against me, I'll help keep you warm!"

Well. More like he'll wrap his blanket around both of them. Perfect excuse to cuddle!

He tilts his head a little as he hears Xue Yang approach and then offers a soft smile as the man settles next to him.

"My clothing is a bit damp. I worry I would get you all wet as well."

He wouldn't want to cause the other to get cold because of him. But he will welcome the warmth of the blanket.

That has him frowning in concern.

"We should get home so you can change into something warm and dry. Then we can come back and enjoy the fire some more. I don't want you getting sick, Daozhang."

Xue Yang still wraps the blanket around Xingchen's shoulders, gently rubbing over the other's arms to help generate warmth.

He shakes his head, "I'm alright. The fire is doing much to dry them." And walking back in the cold would seem worse then standing here and soaking in the warmth.

"Besides, you are helping me now so I know I will be fine."

That makes him beam and he dares to snuggle closer and press his cheek to a shoulder.

"I will always help you now. You have nothing to fear from me." Never again. It makes his heart hurt to think of everything he's done to this poor man. No. It makes him feel sick thinking of it all.

It has taken some time to accept it and to fully understand everything that happened. He still feels like there are things he doesn't know but what he does know is that he can trust Song Lan. And if Song Lan trusts Xue Yang...then that is all Xingchen needs to know. Getting over his own feelings took a little longer to accept but he is starting to.

So he nods, letting himself be snuggled and relaxing into the embrace. "I know...and I'm glad."

This...he silently rejoices in Xingchen letting him snuggle in this close. Yes, there is a lot he hasn't told this Xingchen. He'd spoken at length about it with Zichen and there are just some things that just...shouldn't be said.

Xue Yang smiles giddily when he feels Xingchen relax into his hold and makes sure most of the blanket is around Xingchen than around himself.

"We're glad you're here, A-Chen."

"I am glad to be here." With them and learning what it is like to be cared for in such a way. He rests against Xue Yang and lifts the mug to his lips to take another sip.

"Have you tried the drink they are sharing?"

That leaves him staring at Xingchen rather besottedly. But he doesn't care. Xue Yang ends up smiling brightly, snuggling the sweet man close.

"It's tasty, don't you think? A bit strong though." But he'll make sure Xingchen gets home safely.

"It is quite unique in flavor." Xingchen feels the weight of the mug, determining that he has had probably most of this cupful by now. He can feel the effects, a slight haziness to his mind and a little warmth in his cheeks that could also be attributed to the fire.

"I didn't distract you from spending time with friends did I?" He hopes his appearance didn't pull him away from someone.

"Have you had much alcohol, A-Chen?" Now he's curious! Does his sweet Daozhang even know that's what he's been drinking? It won't change anything though, Xue Yang will make sure he stays safe and healthy, getting home when he feels like going.

His smile doesn't die, though it does soften at that concerned question. "No, I was done with my stories when I saw you come over." He'd have scurried over mid-story anyway, but he hadn't needed to this time.

A surprised expression comes to his face as he holds up the mug, "Ah...is that what this was? It would explain things..." Like how he is feeling. It really is good that Xue Yang is by his side then. He won't have to worry about trying to get home.

"Perhaps I shouldn't drink too much more then."

"... mn. The celebration is ... merry." It's mellow, but at the same time he doesn't sound very much as though he is about to join. Such things, he has ever been more an observer than participant in.

But then Wangji observes the change in ... something about the daozhang, tilting his head.

"You know now."

Not... quite a question.

Xingchen tilts his head sightly, only taking a moment to realize what the man is referencing. There is a soft but brief sigh that escapes his lips.

"I do. Or...I know a little." He is sure the whole story is being kept from him but perhaps it is better that way. He was already overwhelmed by the few things he did find out upon his arrival.

Wangji considers, then hums.

"Song Zichen daozhang assures Xue Chengmei has changed." Whether Wangji believes the truth of that or that Xue Yang is playing a different game, well.

He is sure Song Zichen daozhang believes it, anyway. But also. "Whether that is so or not, he will protect you. Should you need it."

He nods, "I trust Zichen. I know he will make sure nothing happens." And Zichen trusts Xue Yang so Xingchen will try to do so as well. It just takes time to fully absorb everything that he has been told about their lives in this place.

"So far they both have taken good care of me since my arrival."

After a long moment, there is a soft, "mn." Trusting Song Zichen daozhang, he understands.

But also. "If you need aught. You can turn to us, too. Wei Ying will not hesitate to help."

"Thank you. I will make sure to remember that. I am sorry that we haven't had a chance to talk more. I'm sure he has lots of questions...I'm just sorry I don't have many answers."

He didn't really know his mother so he can't be as helpful as the man wants. But it is good to learn more about each other and what they have lived through.

Fire and Water

bonfires because let's see how it goes

This can't possibly go badly

No possibility whatsoever.

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